A forced-air system includes registers located in individual rooms through which heated air is discharged. A forced-air central heating system is one which uses air as its heat transfer medium. These systems rely on ductwork, vents, and plenums as means of air distribution, separate from the actual heating and air conditioning systems. The return plenum carries the air from several large return grills (vents) to a central air handler for re-heating. The supply plenum directs air from the central unit to the rooms which the system is designed to heat. Regardless of type, all air handlers consist of an air filter, blower, heat exchanger/element/coil, and various controls. Like any other kind of central heating system, thermostats are used to control forced air heating systems. Forced air heating is probably the type of central heating most commonly installed in North America. It is much less common in Europe, where hydronic heating predominates, especially in the form of hot-water radiators.

A modern forced-air heating furnace of the gas-fired variety.A clean furnace filter lets your furnace run more efficiently. The filter in a forced air furnace protects you and the furnace blower from harmful airborne matter by catching it before it's blown into the house. A new air filter traps large dirt and dust particles and allergens like pollen, mold spores, dust mite debris and pet dander. A dirty air filter greatly reduces furnace efficiency. Replace the air filter at the start of the heating season. Check it monthly and replace it when you no longer can see light through it. Locate the air filter on your furnace. It normally is located in a slot behind a narrow vertical door in the return air duct, just before the air stream enters the furnace heat exchanger to be heated. On some models, the filter is located inside the blower fan compartment and is held in place with clips. It is accessed by opening the fan compartment door. The filter itself is a 1-inch-thick cardboard or plastic frame the same height and width as the air duct, holding flat or pleated filter material.

Some furnaces use a box filter that is 4 inches or more in thickness that holds several layers of filter material. Open the door concealing the filter. dynamic air cleaner for saleLook on the outside of the filter for a part number or the nominal height and width dimensions. air purifier car exhaustIf there are no markings, you will have to measure the height, width and thickness of the filter. air purifier in hyderabadPurchase a new filter that matches the old filter at any home improvement or hardware store. Turn off power to the furnace so you won’t have it running mid-change. Pull the old filter out of the slot. If the filter is held in place by clips, undo the clips and pull out the old filter. Insert the new filter into the slot where the old filter was;

if clips are used, position the filter in the clips and refasten them. Pay attention to the airflow arrow marking on the filter. It should point toward the furnace or toward the fan as you install the new filter. Close the door of the filter slot or fan compartment. Turn the furnace power back on and check the furnace for correct operation. : How Do I Find, Identify, Measure and Change My Furnace Filter?Family Handyman: Changing Furnace Air Filter Photo Credits Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionChanging a forced air furnace filter is easy, important, and something you should learn how to do. During the cold winter months, this filter should be changed on a monthly basis, and if you have a central heating and air conditioning unit built together, you should change your filters every month of the year. While it might seem silly to change the filter this often, you are bound to be surprised at all the airborne debris that becomes caught in this filter. If the airflow is blocked, the efficiency of your unit is compromised.

This is the easiest task you can perform on your own, and probably one of the healthiest things you can do to maintain your home heating system. Home heating is the number one energy expense for most homeowners. Accounting for a substantial portion of most energy bills, heating your home can quickly eat up the cold-weather budget and force you to tighten your belt during the winter. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize your heating costs. In fact, one of the easiest steps is simply to ensure that you are properly maintaining your home heating equipment. If you have a forced-air heating system you should have a licensed heating contractor come out to service the unit every year. This should be done before the cold weather starts. Not only will it make your heating bills lower and your furnace more efficient, it will also protect you from any potential damage or wear that might allow deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter your home. Your contractor will perform tasks such as lubricating all running parts, adjusting burners, etc., but there are also things that you can do as well.

The air filter removes dirt and dust, as well as things such as carpet fibers, pollen, pet hair and dander from the air. When the filter becomes clogged, it makes your furnace work harder. Keeping your filter in good working order will help extend the life of your unit, ensuring that the evaporator coils, located within the system itself, remain unclogged, helping your furnace to run easier. TIP: Doityourself’s HVAC plumbing consultant, Wayne McCarthy adds, “There are more permanent filters available that require cleaning periodically. The initial cost is more, but they save money in the long run. I have one that is like a thick mat that you can cut to fit. It also has a plastic disk in it that whistles when your filter needs cleaning. Some units have a removable metal framed filter that can be washed with a mild soap and water solution. Keep in mind that these types usually provide better filtration at the cost of reduced airflow. There are also electrostatic filters out there, just follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning and replacement.”

Furnace filters are generally easy to find--simply look for where the cold air enters into your furnace. You will usually find them in the cold-air return duct or right at the entrance for the blower chamber; in some cases, you will find a filter at both locations. Once you've found your filter, slide it out and set it well out of the way, where it will not get jostled (the best bet is to bring a trash bag and slide it right in, so you don't risk getting dirt around your house). Your new filter should slide easily in to replace it. TIP: Wayne says, “If you decide to clean these yourself there are spray-on products available you can use with a soft brush. Make sure you don't bend or dent the aluminum fins while cleaning.” Some people like to vacuum out the blower compartment at this time as well. If you do decide to do this, ensure you've turned off all power to the furnace, either at the emergency switch or main circuit breaker, prior to reaching inside your unit. Take one look at your dirty filter and you're sure to be relieved the contents were caught in the filter, rather than breathing them into your lungs.